2023 IEEE Northern Virginia Section Officer Candidates

Below are the unedited biographical and motivational statements submitted by 2023 Northern Virginia Section officer candidates. For each open position, candidates are listed in alphabetical order by last name.


Dan Cross-Cole

Biography

Dan earned a Bachelors of Arts Degree from the University of Virginia (1974). The major was a University Major (proposed with faculty consultation) in Philosopy of Science, looking at the relationship of mathematical theories to the real world. The undergraduate thesis was “Galileo and the Laws of Bodies Falling in a Medium”.

Dan earned a Masters Degree in Applied Physics at Johns Hopkins University (1978). He built (with the help of many) a calibration facility for Extreme Ultraviolet Spectrometers for the Fusion Program. His Master’s Thesis was on the use of a new detector (made by Galileo Electronics) on a spectrometer for the EUV region. Dan was hired as an Instrumentation Engineer and joined the IEEE Instrumentation and Measurement Society while at Hopkins.

He worked for 22.5 years as an Electronics Engineer (1980-2003) for the Naval Sea Systems Command. Dan was Team Leader for an R&D program that developed a computer-aided calibration system for Radiation Detection Equipment. He represented the Navy’s interests in various Joint Computer Logistics Programs (JCALS, JEDMICS, Joint Logistics Group (JLG))

After his first official retirement, Dan taught Electronics Engineering courses at DeVry University. He developed a course in Systems Engineering, using the various systems in an autonomous robot built by the student. Dan retired (again) as Chair of the Network Communications Management and Network Systems Administration Program in 2008.

In 2003, Devry Professor Seddik Benhamida invited Dan to join the Control Systems Society and attend the IEEE NOVA Section meetings. Dan has served as Treasurer and Secretary for the Section; and Chair, Vice-Chair, Secretary and Treasurer for the Control Systems Society.

Motivation

Encourage young people to explore science, engineering, and mathematics with curiosity and enjoyment to increase future membership.
Create more opportunities for visitors of all ages to talk with IEEE members in open, picnic type settings to encourage current membership.
Develop Technical Presentations for IEEE members to share the techniques of turning ideas into reality, especially for the Raspberry Pi computer, because projects are good for the soul.


Jen Sun

Biography

Dr. Sun received her Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from Washington State University and J.D. from George Washington University Law School. She is a licensed attorney in Virginia and a certified Project Management Professional (PMP) from Project Management Institute. She has been an IEEE senior member since 2010 and has been the Director and Women-in-Engineering (WIE) Chair of IEEE NOVA since 2022.

Dr. Sun is a Primary Patent Examiner in the United State patent office (USPTO). In USPTO, Dr. Sun has been selected to attend various career development opportunities, such as Technology Center Trainer, Aspiring Manager Program, a trainer for 17 new Examiner in Patent Training Academic, a law clerk for two Administrative Patent Judges in Patent Trial and Appeal Board, and an acting Supervisory Patent Examiner for an art unit with 30 patent Examiner.

Prior to joining the USPTO, Dr. Sun was an Advisor Scientist at IBM for five years. As a certified PMP, Dr. Sun led engineers to design, verify and test low power 28 G, 15G, and PCI gen3 High Speed Serial link in CMOS 32nm and 22nm SOI technology. She also served as an industrial liaison to Semiconductor Research Corporation to connect IBM with University Researchers for three years. Dr Sun was IBM Eminence & Excellence Recognition Award winner and IBM leader foundation Graduate.

Dr. Sun served in the International Microwave Symposium Steering Committee 2024 and Technical Program Committee of IEEE International System-on-Chip Conference from 2012 to 2018. In total, Dr. Sun published more than 25 technical papers in peer-reviewed journals or conferences and was an inventor on 11 issued U.S. patents. She has been invited by editors from reputable journals and conferences to review more than 40 IEEE papers. Dr. Sun was the Managing Editor of Federal Communications Law Journal from 2017 to 2018.

Motivation

My interest in the Vice Session Chair position is a result of several factors. Most important of all, I have demonstrated excellent leadership and would like to have an opportunity to work in IEEE to increase member engagement and satisfaction.

I have lots of leadership experiences related to inspire, empower, and engage team members. Through the Aspiring Manager training, I learned People Manager roles and responsibilities. As a trainer, I engaged with 17 examiners to help them career growth and development in the USPTO. As an Acting Supervisor, I provided various training to examiners and introduced various career development opportunities to the team members. While working at IBM as a project manager, I led engineers across multiple locations in the US to develop state of art products. For three years, I served as an industrial liaison for SRC to coach and mentor graduate students and helped faculty members with technology transfer. I also gain a lot of team engagement experiences through various volunteer events activities and diversity network groups. In 2022, I served as a Judge organizer for Fairfax County Regional Science. I recruited and co-led a team of 20 special award judges for 2 months to evaluate nearly 170 science projects from the Fairfax County Regional Science Fair in 2022. As a new WIE chair of NOVA, I select and invite diverse speakers, organize workshops, facilitate technical presentations, help the society to recognize and promote women engineers and scientists, and inspire girls to a career of stem major. These events improved the engagement of the WIE members.

In summary, I have demonstrated strong leadership in various management positions.
I believe that my background and diverse experience have prepared me well to be a Vice Session.


Aakash Sirohi

Biography

I have been a soldier for the last twenty years, joining the army when I was 19 years old and rising in the ranks to Lieutenant Colonel. During this period, I completed my undergraduate education and acquired two technical postgraduate degrees. Additionally, I have completed the MBA from Hult International Business School in San Francisco and a Masters in IT Management from CU, Kentucky.

While leading distinct projects, I navigated complex technical challenges and innovatively designed new approaches to problem-solving. Having led companies and battalions of over 1,500 soldiers, not only am I comfortable with operations at any scale but also am highly committed to people management and developing high performing, engaged teams.  Successfully creating and leading diverse, cross-functional teams I have experience developing new procedures and frameworks, setting benchmarks, and delivering results. I am adept at explaining basics at lower levels as well as conveying key issues to higher management.

Motivation

The projects in the fields of engineering, sciences, education, technology, and management that our members undertake with the support and patronage of the IEEE community has helped maintain a scientific and innovative spirit in the research community that continues to provide huge benefits for society and humanity. In addition, to the core competencies I have highlighted, I bring a strong background in information and systems technology, and software management. I believe that knowledge grows by sharing and it would be a fulfilling experience to help/support others to design better systems. Additionally, with deep experience and exposure to planning, and management practices I think I can contribute significantly to the role of Secretary and contribute to nourishing the environment of research and innovation.


Rolo Martinez

Biography

Completed BSEE Dec 1976 with concentration in Computers and Communications, and MS Engineering Administration Dec 1979 with concentration in R&D Management and Finance at George Washington University, Washington DC.

Throughout my professional experience, I have been involved in technical and programmatic aspects of engineering covering the entire life-cycle of computers and communications systems in the defense, civilian government, and commercial sectors.

My activities above and beyond electrical engineering include in 1979 being Treasurer of Combined Community Communications, Inc, an entity engaged in restoring Spanish FM broadcasting in DC, in 1982 being one of the founders and first elected President of the Kay pro Users Group (later renamed PC Users Group), in 1994 being founder and President of Research Management Associates, a Maryland firm engaged in the commercial application of computers in finance and information, in 2016 being President of the Limestone Court Homeowners Association in Potomac Maryland.

Since my retirement as Professor of Engineering and Management, I have concentrated in developing personal-use applications using the EEs’ devices such as the Raspberry Pi

Motivation

Among the things I can do during my retirement years that provides me with substantial intrinsic reward is that of helping foster better understanding of issues, processes and principles that may enable fellow EEs fulfill their career and personal objectives. I believe that I can successfully:

Help increase awareness among Electrical Engineers (EEs) about the intersection between Artificial Intelligence and Electrical Engineering,

Help evolve management and finance operations required to support activities of institute members by taking advantage of the increasing capabilities of computers and communications services.

Help increase awareness of the need to consider artificial intelligence and abductive reasoning in the skills’ portfolio of the Control Systems Society—The increasing power of devices and spreading of the reach of communications system is enabling the physical and logical proliferation of Independent Decision Making Entities (IDME). This proliferation is making it essential that EEs acquire new competence with control paradigms that not only involve phenomena described by differential equations but also phenomena described by abductive reasoning and artificial intelligence. The challenge is not to control an Internet of websites nor an Internet of Things. The challenge is controlling the forthcoming Internet of IDMEs.


Tristan Li

Biography

Tristan Li is a senior civilian with the Immediate Office of the Chief of Naval Operations since August 2021. He is responsible for the planning, programming, budgeting, and execution of assigned programs to satisfy the Navy’s mission requirements and for ensuring the respective Navy systems integrate and interoperate effectively and securely with the joint community. Mr. Li advocated, assessed, and facilitated science and technology (S&T) initiatives and other research and development (R&D) for potential transition to his portfolio.

Before this, Mr. Li was a senior manager at Raytheon Technologies in the Raytheon Intelligence and Space business from October 2015 to August 2021. He initially started managing one portfolio but grew to oversee three product portfolios with revenues exceeding $700 million annually. His accomplishments include leading the business to launch a product line from internal R&D with U.S. government approval and partnering with competitors to increase probability of win on proposals.

His previous accolades include the Department of Defense Chief Information Officer 2012 award and the Team Excellence Award on Task Force Urgent Sentinel in his capacity as the assistant program manager at the cybersecurity program office of the Navy’s Program Executive Office for Command, Control, Communications, Computers and Intelligence. Additionally, he earned the Exemplary Achievement Award in 2010 as a system engineer at the Naval Information Warfare Center Pacific by engineering an offline encryption solution for the U.S. Navy using government developed software and Commercial Off the Shelf components to replace a more than 40 year old equipment.

Mr. Li is a senior member at the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, and is past Los Angeles Metropolitan Section Photonics Chapter Officer and executive committee member. He is also a member of The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, Association for Computing Machinery, International Information System Security Certification Consortium, and International Council of Electronic Commerce Consultants. Mr. Li holds credentials as a Certified Ethical Hacker, Certified Information Systems Security Professional, and defense certifications for program management and requirements management. He is a doctoral candidate in cybersecurity at Marymount University with a graduate degree in business administration from the University of Southern California and an undergraduate degree in information technology.

Motivation

As a young child, I recalled when my father bought a i386DX2 PC for me. The curiosity of how the PC worked led me to disassemble and reassemble the components. Two years later I built a better computer by buying parts from a nearby store and networking the two to share a dial-up connection. The initial spark was all it took to lead me down a path of information technology, radio frequency and satellite communications, cryptography, system engineering, and cybersecurity. A common theme emerged that is the constant inquiry and knowledge transfer to others – and that is what I think of IEEE. Volunteering for IEEE is an exciting prospect to someone who views learning as a lifelong journey. With the increasingly integrated and complex society we live in today, our disciplinary focus is more often interdisciplinary – and that requires varying experts coming together to discover new things and solve hard problems. I seek to foster an environment where we can learn together and expand our collective networks. If selected as a director for the IEEE Northern Virginia Section, I will be that connective tissue for our members and the academia, industry, and government making a stronger technical community.


Kole Lutz

Biography

Mr Kolemann Lutz (Kole) is a researcher, entrepreneur, and engineer with 6+ years of experience in planetary sciences, materials science, space systems/settlement. Kole has published 25+ articles and research publications to advance the science, education, and expansion of life on Earth, Venus, Mars, and beyond. With a team of 15+ researchers, Kole cofounded MPU in 2020 and is helping start the first academic programs dedicated to making life multiplanetary. After 2+ years of R&D, Kole cofounded Magneto Space to electromagnetically enhance space system, stations, and satellites beyond Earth. Recently awarded Top 100 Men in Aerospace to Follow, Kole is helping create RAD coin currency and is currently pursuing a Master’s at UVA studying Materials Science & Engineering and applied math.

Motivation

Born and raised in the DC/Arlington Area for 20+ years, Kole has built an extensive network of engineers, space colleagues, researchers, and friends. If elected to be Director for IEEE Northern VA for one year term, I promise to accomplish the following:

  • Coordinate in person/online free networking events per year during holidays & summer with similar style to 2-4 lightning talks per bimonthly/biannual event
  • Engage and foster relationships with local IEEE members and Northern VA region
  • Assist business development, tasks and responsibilities where needed to advance professional careers, academic, and social lives of members
  • Actively participate and attend IEEE team meetings, discuss coauthoring papers/helping bridge R&D projects/skillsets/grant proposals

Mark Fearer

Biography

Mark Fearer, CISA, CISSP leads a team of information technology auditors at the US Securities & Exchange Commission who examine infrastructure of stock exchanges for good practices in efforts to keep them available and secure. Mark and his team reference NIST standards for baseline information security. With three decades of system and network administration experience Mark holds a doctorate degree in computer science, several industry certifications. Mark is an adjunct professor at Capitol Technology University in Laurel, Maryland, teaching research methodologies to a mix of doctoral and PhD students with an emphasis on APA 7. Finally, Mark is engaged with his community assisting adults in preparing for the GED.

Motivation

I have a desire to give back to the community. I have been in officer roles with regional chapters of international organizations such as Information Systems Security Association and ASIS for the past ten years. My job roles for the past sixteen years have involved meshing information technology with law. More recently, completing my doctorate at Capitol Technology University introduced me to the vast opportunities in academia. Combining these elements with my desire to give back attracted me to the director position. Thank you for your consideration.


Bhaskara Reddy Moole

Biography

I earned a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science & Engineering, one Master’s degree in Artificial Intelligence & Robotics and another in Computer Science, and a Ph.D. with specialization in Information Systems Management. I served in various positions as developer, architect, SME, and researcher for the last 25 years at organizations like AT&T, Sprint, Bell-Core, IBM, GEICO, IRS, and DHS.

Published several of my research articles in IEEE conferences and proceedings.

Motivation:

I served as a Director of NoVA IEEE for the last 4 years and would like to continue to serve in that role in the next two years.


Mike Olex

Biography

I have been an independent consultant focusing on entrepreneurial companies since relocating to Northern Virginia in 2016. My previous career included working as an engineer and manager initially developing industrial electronic systems and robotics and latter developing life science instrumentation. My employers have included small venture capital backed firms such as Perseptive BioSystems, medium-sized niche-market leaders such as Nordson Corporation and well-known giants such as GE. More about my background can be found in LinkedIn at http://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelolex. This experience gives me the perspective of an engineer working in private industry, so I complement the government and academic background of other section officers.

Motivation

I have been privileged to work on the Northern Virginia IEEE Section’s Executive Committee in all four officer roles since moving to the area in 2016. I wish to continue contributing to the section’s members by utilizing this experience by filling one of the Section’s Director positions. As a Director I can work with the Section’s other leaders to help develop and manage programs to benefit local membership.


Harry Sauberman

Biography

FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION (FDA), CENTER FOR DEVICES & RADIOLOGICAL HEALTH (CDRH) — 33 years
Chief, Otolaryngology Devices Branch
Office of Device Evaluation
Chief, Quality Control Evaluation Section
X-Ray Products Branch
Office of Compliance

ASSOCIATION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF MEDICAL INSTRUMENTATION (AAMI) — 2 years
Manager for Technical Development and Standards
Arlington, VA

MITRE CORPORATION — 10 years
Member of the Technical Staff
McLean, VA

MELPAR CORPORATION — 2 years
Electronic Design Engineer
Falls Church, VA

GENERAL INSTRUMENT CORP and HAZELTINE CORP — 4 years
Electrical Engineer
Long Island, NY

EDUCATION:
New York University — College of Arts and Science — B.A.
New York University — College of Engineering — B.E.E.
New York University — College of Engineering — M.E.E.
George Washington University — College of Engineering — M.Engr.Admin.

HONORS:
Eta Kappa Nu — Electrical Engineering Honor Society

LICENSE:
Licensed Professional Engineer — Virginia

Motivation

I have always been interested in sharing my engineering experiences with high school and college level science students. I’ve sought to do this thru my participation at STEM events, science fairs and meeting with students at IEEE conferences, during local and regional IEEE tours, and at IEEE meetings of interest where they may attend with a parent or, as a college student, on their own. I’ve had a long and illustrious career in both industry and government (including teaching in the evenings) and it is through my association with IEEE and other organizations that I am able to give back. It is with this sense of satisfaction that I am seeking a two year term as one of the Directors of the NOVA Section.

My association with IEEE has enabled me to have served in the following positions: Past-chair, EMBS Chapter; Past-chair, NPSS Chapter; Past-chair, WASH Section; Patron-chair, GLOBECOM 2016; and Patron-co-chair, GLOBECOM 2019. I am additionally one of the directors of the DC Council of Engineers and Architects Society (DCCEAS), and, I am a member of the Washington Academy of Science (WAS).


Ying Wang

Biography

I am a senior member of IEEE. I affiliate with Computer Society, Standards Association, and Women in Engineering. Recent IEEE activities include Senior Member Application Review Panel and IEEE P2863 Organizational Goverance of Artificial Intelligence Working Group. I have 30+ years of experience in academic research and software development in Raytheon Technologies. University of Maryland at College Park, and Chinese Academy of Sciences. I am a Distinguished Toastmaster in Toastmasters International, toastmasters.org. I sustain multiple certificates, CISSP and CSSLP in ISC2, isc2.org, SAFe Advanced Scrum Master, scaledagileframework.com, Scrum Alliance Scrum Master, scrumalliance.org, Scrum@Scale Practitioner, www.scrumatscale.com.

Motivation

Attend Northern Virginia Section Executive Committee meetings regularly
Help Organize IEEE events
Volunteer in IEEE sponsored community events, such as STEM


Ziyue Xu

Biography

Dr. Ziyue Xu, IEEE Senior Member, is a Senior Scientist at Nvidia Corp. and a volunteer at National Institutes of Health. His research interests lie in the area of image analysis and machine learning with applications in biomedical and clinical imaging. Before joining Nvidia, he was a Staff Scientist and lab manager in the Center for Infectious Disease Imaging at National Institutes of Health.

Dr. Xu obtained his B.S. Eng. in Electronics Engineering from Tsinghua University, and M.S./Ph.D. in Computer Engineering from the University of Iowa. He is among the earliest researchers in adopting deep learning in medical image analysis, and has contributed fundamental works in this field focusing on computer-aided detection, segmentation, and prediction.

Dr. Xu has been serving as a regular reviewer for many journals/conferences, an Area Chair for various conferences including MICCAI and AAAI, and an Associate Editor for the journals of IEEE Transactions on Medical Imaging (TMI), IEEE Journal of Biomedical and Health Informatics (JBHI), Computerized Medical Imaging and Graphics, and Computers in Biology and Medicine. He is also an active member of Project MONAI, a freely available and community-supported framework for deep learning in healthcare imaging since its initiation in 2019, contributing significant effort in pushing the community towards open-source, reliable, and unbiased AI.

Motivation

I was a student member of IEEE during my Ph.D. years, and have been benefiting a lot from all the IEEE-hosted venues including journals and conferences. Some years ago, I decided to join IEEE as a formal member, and was recently promoted to Senior Member. Being a member of several technical committees, I feel my background and experience, both academic and industrial, can indeed contribute from various aspects and help others in many ways. As a researcher in industry while in the same time being a volunteer and collaborator at a research institute, I believe I have a unique position to leverage the connection from both sides.

Therefore, I applied for director at our local section, both to expand my horizons beyond my current work, and contribute my expertise and effort as a way to give back all the help and support I received during the previous years. I am also interested in learning how the section operates and connecting with other members.